Tool # 7

I think I am going to have to take a tip from Karen and set a timer.  I spent way too much time looking at all the sites that are posted, and then I went to even more links from there.  I looked at iEarn.com, GlobalSchoolNet.org, Class2class-Math Projects, EducationWorld, and Projectsbyjen.com.  I learned about key pals instead of pen pals.  I really want to utilize that next year with my cousin who teaches in Florida.  I am also interested in online expeditions.  I will do some more research with Weekend Explorer to learn more about that one.  I tried Edmodo, but I need to get a password for that one.  There were several projects that you can sign up to participate on Projects by Jen.  The Oreo Project, The Pumpkin Seed Project, and the Holiday Card Exchange Project seemed appropriate for my students.  I also got another idea for Wordles from her site.  Guess My Wordle can be used at the beginning of the year after students share to put one up and have students guess who.  You can put different facts and information about a state and have Name that State.  Well, you get the general idea.  I am really excited about using Skype in the classroom. To get my feet wet, I thought it would be fun to have a Mystery Reader skype with us.  I also love that there are some authors that will skype for free for 15 to 20 minutes.  I could also send out a survey to parents to find experts that would be willing to skype with us.  I know Karen the Magnificent has also made connections for us in this area.  Yea, Karen  at RCE!  I am also blessed to have Theresa on my team who did several skype sessions last year, and I know that she will share her expertise as well.  I would also like to do a math lesson with another class at my school in the spring tying facts and probability.  Students would first predict which sum would come up the most when rolling two dice and finding the sum.  Students would roll a certain number of times and record their sums.  We would put our results together and create a graph.  We could also skype with the class and talk about the results and our conclusions.  There are so many great things to do with technology, and I know the kids will teach me even more.